Hillcrest Cemetery

© The Bakersfield Californian
Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Ada Joyce Hughes
1930 ~ 2009

Graveside services for Ada Joyce Hughes will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.

Ada Joyce passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, May 8, 2009.

Joyce was born on May 20, 1930 in Ogden, UT.

She regularly attended services at both the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Her early years developed her love of family, commitment to hard work, and love of life in all its infinite shades.

Joyce maintained an abiding affection for the hills of southern Utah throughout her life, and enjoyed visiting there. Her rural upbringing also brought her a lifelong love of horses and rodeo, which she shared with her family.

In 1947, Joyce moved to the San Joaquin Valley and remained here through the rest of her life.

She is preceded in death by her first husband William P. (Bill) Connell, and her sons Scotty and William Bruce Connell. Joyce married Richard E. (Dick) Hughes, and raised her children in Bakersfield.

She is survived by: her husband, Richard; her daughters, Vicki Jill Connell Ancell and Linda Kay Connell Steenerson (Dunwoody, GA); her brother, Ted Call (Kenai, AK); her sister, Colleen Miller Kent (White Swan, WA); and her brother- and sister-in-law, Weldon and June Hughes. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Her view on life was artistic, and that art took many forms. She was a painter, first as watercolor and oils then finding her passion in porcelain art. In addition to many local classes, she traveled around the country taking courses and admiring the work of other artists throughout the world. Her work is admired by many, and was awarded prizes including at the Kern County Fair. Her art pieces are proudly on display in the homes and offices of family, friends, and other collectors.

Joyce was also an enthusiastic and avid dancer, an avocation begun as a child in Utah. In Bakersfield, she took western swing and line dance lessons up to 3 nights a week and was slowed in her enthusiasm only by her recent illness. Her artistic expression extended to the home arts as well. Joyce was a talented seamstress, needling fashions for herself and her family. She was also a committed kitchen experimenter, with a gourmet flair for discovering the perfect combinations of flavor to serve and surprise.

Joyce was an educator. She taught hair classes at the Beauty School. Her passion for porcelain art also led her to teach adult courses at a number of venues, including the Parks and Rec center and the senior center. Her students have been enthusiastic and comment on her willingness to find art in every level of expertise presented. Joyce was a business owner, operating a salon for many years - bringing beauty and laughter to numerous clients and friends, and continuing her beautician practice on family and neighbors even in recent years.

Joyce loved life, and her enthusiasm could always be counted on to liven up any gathering. Even a quiet get together would eventually develop into a joyous, sometimes raucous, event - worthy of retelling in almost epic proportions.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Nona Parmley and Zona Wright. For additional service information, please contact Basham Funeral Care at 873-8200.

Ada Joyce Hughes, May 20, 1930 ~ May 8, 2009

Basham Funeral Care

Legacy.com